Berry Global Group, a leading global nonwovens manufacturer, announced its investment of over $70 million in its United States wipe substrate capabilities. The investment includes a new line, producing additional capacity, and enabling the company to better serve its global customers as well as support the continuing growth of its business. Berry provides many of the world’s leading brands with wipe materials for infection prevention. Prior to the demand surge of 2020, the impregnated wet wipes segment, specific for home cleaning and disinfecting, was growing at 6% in the 2014 to 2019 time frame. Amplified by Covid-19 prevention, the demand for disinfectant wipes is expected to have permanently shifted to its current, increased use.

Berry will add to its broad scope and scale by installing the line in the United States. This investment is complementary to Berry’s existing portfolio and features the company’s proprietary Spinlace technology. The U.S. investment has a targeted commercialization date of the March quarter 2023.

“This investment reflects the commitment we have in support of our customers’ growth plans and it is a clear signal of our intent to provide the best products in the disinfectant wiping space worldwide,” says Mark Siebert, EVP and general manager, U.S. and Canada, Healthcare and Specialties at Berry.

Berry’s Spinlace technology is a critical component of its growth in the wiping space, as it enables the company to produce and deliver innovative nonwovens to customers across multiple market segments. These segments include home care, personal care, commercial, transportation, and healthcare. The newly announced asset will be flexible in its production capabilities, with the ability to supply materials for wipes, filtration, personal care incontinence, and healthcare applications.

The company’s Spinlace technology is a highly efficient process that incorporates almost limitless material inputs, including pulp, with high-speed hydroentanglement. Additionally, Berry's proprietary Apex technology is combined with Spinlace technology to impart customizable three-dimensional images directly into the fabric to provide differentiated functional and aesthetic attributes. The Apex process improves strength, pick up or lay down of liquids, and improves visuals versus traditional manufacturing methods.

Berry holds a unique position in the nonwovens market with its ability to serve such a broad range of customers and technologies. The company continues to reinvest and innovate in the nonwovens space, enabling efficient production of quality materials and furthering its leadership role in the industry.